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"This is my favorite Thai restaurant in Santa Cruz. I usually get some sort of rice or noodle dish and it's so yummy. For lunch, you get so…" read more »
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Delicious fish dish steamed with ginger, lemongrass, mushrooms and peppers. Low on the grease, intense in flavor. My boyfriend, the real Thai food lover between us, ordered Tom Ka seafood soup and declared it very rich and was happy to see that the chef didn't skimp on the seafood quantity or variety. He also got the pumpkin red curry special - which was also tremendously rich and flavorful. He said it tasted as if it had been made with condensed coconut milk. We saw room for improvement with their fried spring rolls...they were sorta bland. Oh and for those who have a super healthy appetite, look forward to massive serving sizes, as in yes, we'll be eating leftovers tomorrow.
PS - We noticed tons of people doing take out and followed suit. They only took 10 minutes to fill our order - speedy!
Very yummy spot....great duck dishes!
Didn't really enjoy Thai food before coming here...now I crave their food.
Recommend to new Thai eaters
Because of Yelp's 4 out of 5 star review, I decide to give this restaurant a try. Needless to say I walked in with high expectations.
The restaurant decor was not bad. We were immediately seated, no line. So good so far. I read about the big portions and decided to only order three dishes: pineapple rice, spicy seafood, and topless seafood. Orders came quiet quickly.
The portions were all good, but mind you my boyfriend and I eat a lot! Pineapple rice was all right. Spicy seafood was not spicy at all - it's more like seafood combination. It's about half seafood (scallop, water chestnut, shrimp) and half veggies. Topless seafood came in a large muffin-like pan with breast-shaped cups over each "muffin cup." I was very disappointed with topless seafood, as it's more like a piece of seafood in each cup and filled to the brim with some sort of peanut sauce. There was more peanut sauce than actual seafood. Don't ever get this dish!
We both finished everything, but I came away not too impressed by the flavor and originality. The cashier (who I suspect is the owner, as he was counting receipts and money) was a bit of a hawk. I didn't feel comfortable with him.
I've tried Thai food in Milpitas and Berkeley and certainly would not come here again if I can help it.
You can order pineapple curry here that actually comes in a hallowed out pineapple, also known as a pineapple boat. Awesome!
I also love their pad see ew, and papaya salad.
Great for take-out and the service is always fast and friendly, too.
Lunch specials!!! Heyyyyy!!! $6.99 what what!!
Came here with my girl Serbelle for lunch. SoS has a great selection of yummy Thai food, which is hard to come by in the Santa Cruz county.
Service was awesome, quick, and easy. Our server was so sweet and gave us a little something something on the side, on the house. NO, not that! Get your head out of the gutter... sheeesh man/woman!
Everything on the menu can be prepared vegetarian, but their menu has a special section for us meat haters. LOVE THAT!
Thank you Serbelle for picking up the tab, you're a rich biatch! Thank you mam and I'm done, I'll hit you back when I owe you one.
Love this place. My boyfriend and I live down the street, so we either eat here or get take-out several times a month. Love their artichoke soup and the panang curry. The waiters are nice (one of them is always so happy!), and the service is good. Yummy!
I've been eating here for years. It's the first place I braved Sushi and I have been back time and time again.
The yellow curry is super good as well as the coconut soup dish.
It's got a nice relaxed feel to it and the service is always low key but friendly.
I was disappointed. Of the two Thai places in Soquel within stones throw of one another, we chose this one to try. The Pad Thai tasted like Skippy peanut butter was a main ingredient. The beef salad was swimming in a not very spicy, but fresh-enough ingredients and was heavy .. Heavy handed on the fish sauce. The greens were sog-ified and wilted, the beef was dry and chewy. Most recipes say to add fish sauce to taste, but it's all about balance with Thai food. Salty, sweet, spicy and sour. Basic Thai cooking. I don't care that there is a sushi bar; I want Thai food. I've been to Thailand, and this isn't close except for some of the decor.
I came here maybe about a month ago because my friends and I were starving and decided to try something new out. We passed by this spot and decided it was time for Thai food...
We went in during lunch time so they were running lunch specials. I paid about 8 bucks for some pad thai and some sides, and my friend got some beef/onion dish with a side of rice. I felt like my pad thai was too soggy and overcooked, but scarfed it down anyways because I was starving. When I'm starving, food usually tastes delicious to me no matter what, but I was a little disgusted because I felt like I was chewing on noodles that were just spit out by the owner's little kid. Not to say it tasted bad, but yeah you get what I mean. My friend's dish was also full of onions rather than beef, and was pretty good for whatever beef he did get to eat.
We got out of here for about $20 for 2 main dishes. Not terrible but a little high for lunch specials. I'll probably never come back here again unless I happen to pass by and feel starved. Try it out though, it's really not bad--I just wasn't crazy about it.
I have to say the service deserves five stars, very nice servers/host. I appreciated them very much.
The coconut shrimp soup was awesome, I would definitely go back for the soup. Honey and I were a little bit adventuresome with the rest of the menu.
The Peanut chicken had alot of sauce, pretty tasty but could only handle a little of it. We also had an interesting number called "Topless Seafood"
it came out in a hot clay dish, with upside-down cups over the food that looked like boobs. Ah "topless" I get it.
It tasted like pudding in a bad way, wasn't so into it. Honey enjoyed it, but I think it is a perfect meal for senior citizens and I will wait for my nursing home.
I am sure this place has awesome staples. I probably would stick to them next time.
I haven't been here in a while but this place definitely rocked big! The Thai/Japanese combination is crazy good. I am a classical chef and have cooked with the best in the world. This place was amazing, I could eat here twice a week, no joke. The ambiance was kick back with really good service and amazing flavors to choose from. I loved the silver noodles (bean thread, oh yum) Hmmm, I'm not sure if I want Thai, or Japanese, I know let's go to "The Star of Siam!!!"
Now all they need is espresso and I'll never go anywhere else. I love, love, love this place.
Good selection of meals to pick from, curry to sushi. With all the good Tai food in Santa Cruz County this one stands up against the rest. The service is fast and friendly. Food is good. Has a great lunch special. The Tai Ice Teas are really good. By the way there is a big difference between the green, yellow and red curies. If you don't know what I'm talking about then go for the red curry. :-)
I spent my honeymoon in Thailand, love thai food, and this is my favorite thai restaurant in the area. The staff is friendly, and the owners even shared photos from their trip to Thailand with us. Every dish I've had is amazing, but my absolute favorite is the Yum Yai salad.
Just tried this place for the first time last week on the recommendation of a Friend's daughter. REALLY good! YEAH! THAI FOOD!
This is my favorite restuarant. I LOVE the cocounut chicken soup!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-one of the better places close to Aptos
-wwaayy better than Bangkok West
-flavorful
-quick service
-nicely decorated
-bathroom is decent
-the prices are affordable
-substitute shrimp plus $1, whatta deal!
=PAD THAI LUNCH SPECIAL CASPERED
this is my favorite Thai place i have been to in my ENTIRE life. Every time I eat Thai food somewhere else, I inwardly grumble and sigh, "this isn't as good as Star of Siam."
Their green curry is to die for. I get it every single time I come here. I get it medium spicy with chicken and put it over rice (since the curry is basically a soup-like sauce, you need to put it over something unless you feel like drinking it from the bowl, haha). their cashew nut chicken is my second favorite item. I recommend you try them both!
The staff is really really awesome. They are always smiling and are friendly like you wouldn't believe.
There is always parking too.
I really can't think of a single bad thing to say about this place. I've never tried the sushi (since I don't eat sushi), so maybe what other people say about it is true; I wouldn't know.
I really love this place. HUGE emphasis on love. It truly is the standard to which I hold all other Thai food at any other restaurant I try.
I'm a pretty big fan of the lunch special here and also like the quick quality foods that come out of the kitch for pick up. Soups are served in the big hot pots and I've been known to make a meal of one (yum chicken ginger..) The hesitation on the 5 stars-- i'd rethink the sushi bar addition offerings from which I simply haven't found to be up to par to other local SC special spots (SHogun I'm talk in to you..) and do what you do well well.. rather than what you don't in addition. My frequent dining companion swears by their Thai Iced Tea.
I absolutely love this place. Some of the other reviews surprise me! Michael is a great person to support... we call him "Happy Man" cause he always has a giant smile on his face and is always very respectful.
The Tom Kha soups are fabulous... the best I've had anywhere. They are quite quick with the service too.
The sushi is very fresh and I thought it was BRILLIANT to have my two favorite foods under one roof! I love ordering both types of food for my meals.
This is a very honest and hard-working local business that simply has not been beat in our area, in my opinion.
I agree with Tana B. You have to wonder about a Thai Restaurant that also serves sushi. Our food was unimaginative, bland, and the menu was boring. We took forever to choose mostly because it was so unimpressive.
The whole experience was just blah. The atmosphere sucked; it was poorly ventilated and smelled funny inside. There were giant fish tanks which were cool, but the bases were lined with duct tape? Wtf is that all about? The chicken was gristly, the tofu dish was super-mushy and bland, and the egg rolls were over-fried. In fact, I really don't even have the creative energy to waste on this place to be snide and sarcastic.
Try Sawasdee in Soquel or Bangkok West in Aptos if you want good Thai in Mid County.
I have been using this restaurant for catering, as I often provide lunches to my customers for work. I have gotten to know the owners, Michael and Nancy, as well as their staff, Toon, Veena, and Peter. They are all wonderful people who truly take care of you when you are their guest. My hubby and I look forward to seeing them several times a week. This is a small, locally owned business that I feel good supporting. They have earned my continued business and respect, and that is hard to come by when looking for an establishment to patronize.
Great prices. Great food. Fresh and quick, with a lovely atmostphere. I adore the Tom Kha Artichoke soup and sticky rice. We lust after the fresh spring rolls (I could eat a dozen on my own!) and my husband enjoys the pahd thai (although he thinks it is a touch sweet), other noodle dishes, and pineapple fried rice. Oh - and the Thai iced tea is divine! Their sushi is rad, too, esp. Rainbow and Spicy Thai Tuna rolls.
I think it is wise to have different sorts of Asian foods under one roof. Thai, sushi, a little Chinese. . . the variety is fun and while it may be "Americanized," it still TASTES awesome, which is the point, right?! Tired menu? It's not a "fusion" sort of place; Star of Siam just offers old favorites served up right! Our food is always cooked to perfection and I've never regretted ordering a single thing.
This is our #1 place to dine.
This place is one of those great family-run places that lack an ultra-commercial refinement but serve really good food.
It's completely unexpected when I decide to that I need some Thai food. I guess sometimes I forget about the virtues of a nice spicy and aromatic Thai dish. But eventually, when I get bored with Italian, Mexican, greasy American, and everything else, the Thai craving ensues. When that urge comes, Star of Siam is a great place to go.
I'm all about the orange curry with the chicken. Give me that, a bunch of rice, and a Singha, and I'm a happy-camper. Star of Siam nails this dish. Service is good as well.
special of the day menu for me as the regular menu options was expected. mango fish - had onions, mango, green & red peppers, steamed tilapia, red curry with a touch a yellow and a side of rice.
parking wasn't a challenge at all. the decor inside is nothing to "write home to mom about", just your average pictures from thailand and other typical accents to dress up the place. the bathroom seemed very fresh and well maintained. cool, huge fish tanks housing some interesting looking fish. the staff is extremely friendly AND polite.
- i suddenly want a fish tank with cool fishies swimming in it.... and a cat trying to get the little fishies.
*sigh* my dish was sooooooooo good, especially the mango mixed with the curry!
Mmmm good, my fav was the mango tilapia curry with a mix of red & yellow curry. Equally surprising was the sushi, fresh and creative, a unique combination of flavors. Can't wait to go back.
Star of Siam has been around forever. I used to be in love with her long extensive menu and friendly service.
However, today was not the case at all. In terms of service, it was horrible. Our waitress never came around and actually felt that she was avoiding us.
Another major thing is that I was the only one at the table without an entree and had to finally get up and find her after my friends were already done with their meals to ask where mine was???
She didn't even apologize and just asked if I still wanted it and if I did, I'm still paying. She brought it out 10 minutes later, the same time as the bill.
I was very disappointed.
I went there with some friends and I was so pleasantly surprised. The place doesn't look like anything special from the outside--kind of like an ex-diner or I-Hop, but boy is the food good. And as a couple of others said, the food comes out very fast! A couple in our party had their little daughter with them and this was very appreciated. Not only did they bring her food out right away to keep her busy, but the staff kept coming by to play with her (she is super cute!) and took her around the restaurant to look at the aquariums they have. What a beautiful way to end a day at the beach in Capitola!
I've driven by this place a hundred times over the years and never stopped - wrong side of the road I guess. This past week a friend mind wanted to meet me here for lunch. I'm so glad he suggested this place. I loved it. The chicken curry (red) was outstanding! Prices are also quite reasonable and the menu has something for everyone. I will definitely be back. Service was also very efficient and friendly. The dining area is very open and airy with some aquariums - not new/modern by any stretch (quite old furnishings) but the place has nice energy. I'll definitely return.
I come here on my lunch breaks with coworkers. The manager (or owner?) always is so friendly, welcoming and has a big smile on his face. The lunch specials are fairly priced and delicious. Sometimes getting and paying the bill can take some time, but other than that- its a great restaurant.
Not when there are other better places. Tired menu. Not the best by a longshot. Try Sawasdee in Soquel or Bangkok West in Aptos.
Nice Thai restaurant, nice ambiance, love the fish tanks and the photos under glass on the tables. Service has always been good, easy parking too. Have had many different dishes don't really have a favorite, as they all have been so good. Love the fresh spring roll appetizers. Price is reasonable and food is served fast, which is nice when you don't have a lot of time but want something really good to eat.
This is a pretty cool place-again, atmosphere isn't amazing, but I only go to a Thai restaurant for one thing: Tom Yung Goon (spelling?) It's the Shrimp Lime soup-and this is the second best I have had (but, it's not like i have tried every thai place in Santa Cruz). the best was in Hollywood (but a bit too far to drive for a midnight craving).
Nice place. Warm, friendly. Food is good, nothing special but good. Kids love the fried tofu with peanut sauce. We like most of the food, had the pumpkin curry today which was outstanding. Service has always been efficient and friendly. The aquarium is a hit with the kids. We keep coming back when we want Thai food.
Went here over the weekend, it is a delight to find a good thai restaurant any where in Santa Cruz. The curry noodles was really great and it was prepared fairly fast. It might have been because it was Saturday afternoon, but there was no line also.
Yup, this is probably much better asian restaurant in this area.. I have taken guests here three times, and I even ordered take outs a few times. Tasty food. Oh, if you go there for lunch special, consider choosing salad to their egg-soup. The salad is ordinary but they use peanut sauce.
typical American-style Thai food but, I think, better than average.
Soquel, CA
Category: Thai
Capitola, CA
Category: Thai
Aptos, CA
Category: Thai
Felton, CA
Category: Italian
Soquel, CA
Category: Chinese
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